Abstract
Active and abandoned primary and secondary goldmines have been observed to be major sources of metals into the environment. This study assessed the level of metal concentrations in rock and tailing samples collected from the abandoned primary goldmine site at Iperindo. A total of five rock and ten tailing samples were collected for this study. The tailing samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis using standard methods. The samples were analyzed for metals using inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry technique. The results obtained indicated that tailings were acidic (pH 5.02), with electrical conductivity 133.4 μS/cm, cation exchange capacity 8.95 meq/100 g, available phosphorus was 4.74 mg/L, organic carbon 5.58 %, and organic matter 9.63 %. The trends for metal concentrations within the samples were in the order: Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Cr > As > Cd for rock samples, Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > As > Co > Cd in tailing samples. Cd, Pb, and Zn in the rock were above the Abundance of Elements in Average Crustal Rocks standards. Principal component analysis showed higher variations among samples in Iperindo. Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, As, and Zn were strongly loaded to principal component 1, with these metals significantly contributing to variations in 65.76 % of rock and 53.24 % of tailing. This study suggests that the metal concentration in tailings is a reflection of the metal composition of the rocks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Actlabs (Activation laboratory, Ontario Canada). (2008). Retrieved from http://www.actlabs.com, accessed on 7th July 2008.
Adekoya, J. A. (2003). Environmental effect of solid minerals mining. Journal of Physical Science Kenya, 625–640.
Ajakaiye, D. E. (1985). Environmental problems associated with mineral exploitation in Nigeria. A Paper Presented at the 21st Annual Conference of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society held at Jos: pp. 140–148.
Akanni, C. O. (1992). Aspects of Climate. In S. O. Onakomaya, K. Oyesiku, & J. Jegede (Eds.), Ogun State in Maps (p. 207). Ibadan: Rex Charles Publication.
Boulet, M. P., & Larocque, A. C. L. (1998). A comparative mineralogical and geochemical study of sulfide mine tailings at two sites in New Mexico, USA. Environmental Geology, 33, 130–142.
Carter, M. R., & Gregorich, E. G. (1994). Soil sampling and method of analysis. pp. 99, accessed on www.amazon.com.
Coates, W. (2005). Tree species selection for a mine tailings bioremediation project in Peru. Biomass and Bioenergy, 28, 418–423.
David, C. P. (2002). Heavy metal concentrations in marine sediments impacted by a mine-tailings spill. Marinduque Island, Philippines Environmental Geology, 42, 955–965.
De Luanay, L., & Crane, W. R. (2008). The world’s gold. Science, 29(738), 300–301.
Gbadegesin, S. A. (1992). Soils. In S. O. Onakomaya, K. Oyesiku, & J. Jegede (Eds.), Ogun State in Maps (p. 207). Ibadan: Rex Charles Publication.
Gonzalez, R. C., & Gonzalez-Chavez, M. C. A. (2006). Metal accumulation in wild plants surrounding mining wastes: Soil and sediment remediation (SSR). Environ Pollution, 144, 84–92.
Johnson, M. S., & Bradshaw, A. D. (1997). Prevention of heavy metal pollution from mine wastes by vegetative stabilisation. Transaction of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy,Section A, 86, 47–55.
Kim, K. W., Lee, H. k., & Yoo, B. C. (1997). The environmental impact of gold mines in the Yugu – Kwangeheon Au – AG- metallogenic province, Republic of Korea.
Kim, K. K., Kim, K. W., Kim, J. Y., Kim, I. S., Cheong, Y. W., & Min, J. S. (2001). Characteristics of tailings from the closed metal mines as potential contamination source in South Korea. Journal of Environmental Geology, 41(3–4), 358–364.
Kirkemo, H., William, L. N., & Roger, P. A. (2009). Gold, article accessed on http://pubs.ugs.gov/gip/prospect1/goldgip.html.
Krzaklewski, W., & Pietrzykowski, M. (2002). Selected physico-chemical properties of zinc and lead ore tailings and their biological stabilization. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 141, 125–142.
Mendez, M. O., Glenn, E. P., & Maier, R. M. (2007). Phytostabilization potential of quailbush for mine tailings. Growth, metal accumulation, and microbial community changes. Journal of Environmental Quality, 36, 245–253.
Munshower, F. F. (1994). Practical Handbook of Disturbed land Revegetation. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishing.
Nelson, D. W., & Sommers, L. E. (1982). Total carbon, organic matter. pp. 539–580. In Page, A.L et al. (ed), Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. 2nd ed. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI.
NMC (Nigerian Mining Corporation). (2006). Listing of mining properties available for bidding. A report by NMC March 6.
Okelola, F. S. (2005). Variation and relationship between seed vigour and yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). M. Agric dissertation. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. pp. 61-62.
Olaitan, D. T. (2000). Environmental assessment of gold mining and mineral processing in Iperindo-Odo Ijesha, Ilesa, Osun state. B.Sc project work Department of Environmental Management and toxicology UNAAB. pp46.
Olori, T. (2004). Nigeria: Illegal gold mining ruins rural environment. Inter press service, retrieved from http://www.afrika.no/Detailed 6118.html, accessed on May 24, 2009.
Olsen, S. R., & Sommers, L. E. (1982). Phosphorus. p. 403-430. In: A. L. Page, et al. (eds.) Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Agron. Mongr. 9. 2nd ed. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI.
Raji, A. (2003). Assessment of genetic diversity and heterotic relationships in African improved and local cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) germplasm. PhD Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 218pp.
Schwegler, F. (2006). Air quality management: a mining perspective. In: Air pollution XIV. In: Longhurst, J.W.S., & Brebbia, C.A (eds.), WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. Vol. 86. Southampton, UK: WIT Pres. pp. 205–212.
Sheldrick, B. H., & Wang, C. (1993). Particle-size distribution. In M. R. Carter (Ed.), Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis, Canadian Society of Soil Science (pp. 499–511). Ann Arbor, MI: Lewis Publishers.
Southam, G., & Beveridge, T. J. (1992). Enumeration of Thio bacilli within pH-neutral and acidic mine tailings and their role in the development of secondary mineral soil. Applied Environ Microbiology, 58(6), 1904–1912.
Taylor, R. (1964). In U. Gorlach & C. F. Boutron. Variations in heavy metals concentrations in Antarctic snows from 1940 to 1980. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, vol 14, numbers 1–4/April, 1992
Thomas, G. W. (1982). Exchangeable cations. In: A. L. Page et al. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 159-165). ASA Monograph Number 9.
TML (Tropical Mines Limited). (1996). A pre-investment study of Iperindo-odo Ijesa (primary) gold deposit report (2), 1-12.
Warhurst, A. (2000). Mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgy: An overview of the technologies and their impact on the physical environment. In A. Warhurst & L. Noronha (Eds.), Environmental Policy in Mining: Corporate Strategy and Planning for Closure. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LLC.
Wikipedia. (2007). Gold. Retrieved from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gold. 20 November. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc.
Wright, L., & Dorbor, J. (2000). Mining annual review. The Journal Ltd.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gbadebo, A.M., Ekwue, Y.A. Heavy metal contamination in tailings and rocksamples from an abandoned goldminein southwestern Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 186, 165–174 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3363-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3363-4